Car-coupling.



STATES PATENT CAR-GOUPLING;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters' Patent No. 648,188, @ateaApi-i124', ieo. Application iled August 28, 18.99. Serial No. 728,808.(No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, SAMUEL W. BUHNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Seymour, in the county of Jackson, State of Indiana, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Car-Couplers, which improvementis fully set forth in the following speciication and accompanyingdrawings.

My invention consists of an improved con'- struction of a car-couplerwhich is readily ac'- cessible from the sides or top of the cars, isvery freely and easily operated, and is not liable to get out of order,the devices for coupling and uncoupling being disconnected from thecoupler. v

It also consists of an improved construction of `knuckle and head, thebottom of the knuckle and the contiguous portion of .the

f head being beveled and constructed lso that forth, and particularlythe knuckle alwaysstands open ready for coupling, whereby the trainhandsdo not have to follow the cars up to make a coupling when switching orsetting out cars, since the knuckle `automatically assumes an openposition at all times when it is uncoupled.

It further consists of novel means for rendering the operation of thecoupling more positive under all conditions and reducing the number ofparts to a minimum.

It also consists of a novel construction of yoke which effectively holdsthe coupler in position and renders the same less liable to be pulledout than heretofore.

It further consists of novel details of construction, all as willfbehereinafter fully set pointed out vin the claims.

Figure l represents a perspective view of a car-coupler embodying myinvention, showing the same in closed or locked position, also a portionof a car to which the same is applicable and the means for operating thecoupler from the top or` side of said car. Fig. 2 represents aperspective view of the car-coupler in detached position, showing theparts in uncoupled position and ready for coupling and also showing aportion of a jnovel construction of a yoke employed. Fig. 3 represents alongitudinal vertical section of Fig. 2, showing the position of thelug, latch, and coupling-pin when the parts are uncoupled.

Fig. 3 represents a sectional View similar to Fig. 3, showing the'position of the parts just prior to the engagement of the knuckle-armwith the coupling-pin. Fig. 4 representsa section on line x m, Fig. 3,showing the knuckle in coupled position. Fig. 5 repres'ents a sideelevationof Fig. `3, showing especially .the beveled surface of thedrawhead which coacts with the contiguous beveled surface of theknuckle. Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of the knuckle in detachedposition.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a s car-coupler, the sameconsisting of a drawbar B, whichhas a reduced rear portion or extensionC, which passes through the plate D, the ends e of saidfplate beingnarrowed and fitting in the ways F,'which are formed in the side platesG, which latter are bolted to the draw-bar timbers, (not shown,) againstwhich plate D abuts one end of the coil-spring H, the other end of thelatter abutting against the shoulder H on the draw-bar.

J designates a plate having an opening through which the portion C ofthe draw-bar extends, said plate J being bolted or otherwise secured tothe end flanges K of the side plates G, both said end plate and sideplates being bolted to the draw-bar timbers, (not shown,) whereby saidtimbers are prevented from spreading.V Itwill thus be seen that all thestrain on the draw-bar is close to the latter and not on the ends,whereby the liability of breakage is prevented, it 'being furtherapparent that the side and end plates, which are rigidly secured to thedraw-bar timbers,

.cannot be pulled out under ordinary conditions, and it being alsoevident that the spring H takes the jar from the draw-bar, and when thecars are started there is no excessive strain thereupon. It also will beseen that by having the ends E of the plate D guided in the ways F aregular and uniform -movement will be imparted to the draw-bar under allconditions. L designates a recess inthe head of the draw-bar in which iscontained the lug M, the outer end N of said lug being adapted t0contact with the abutment P, whereby said lug is pivotally heldinposition.

Q, designates a latch which is pivotally attaehed to the lug N and isprovided with the hook R, adapted at certain times to overhang the pinor bolt S, which is located in the recess L, said latch leaning aga-instthe pin T, as indicated in Fig. 3X, when the cars are uncoupled and justprior to coupling,said latch supporting said coupling-pin, however, whenthe cars are being coupled, as will be eX- plained.

The coupling-pin T is provided with a slot U, through which passes thestationary pin V,whereby said coupling-pin is always guided in itsmovement. The knuckle XV, which is pivoted in the head of the draw-bar,consists of a body portion which is pivotally mounted in the ears X andhas the members Y, wh'erev by the coupling is effected, said knucklebeing provided with the arm Z, which has the recess or seat A' therein,which is adapted to be engaged by the contiguous portion of thecoupling-pin T, the lower edge of said knuckle being beveled, asindicated at B in Fig. 6, so as to coact with the contiguous beveledface C' of the lower ear X, wherefrom it will be apparent that saidknuckle when the cars are uncoupled will always swing into openposition, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, the weight of the arm Z and themanner in which said knuckle is pivotally secured causing it toautomatically swing outward without necessitating any attention from thetrainmen.

D' designates a link which has one end pivotally connected with the topof the couplingpin T, while its other end is attached to the lever F',which has one end suitably pivoted in the bearings E', attached to asuitable portion ot' the ear G'. y

II' designates an operating-rod which is provided with the U shapedmember J',

adapted to engage the lever F', said rod or member H' being movable in asuitable guide or guides K.

L' designates an arm projecting from the rod M', which is mounted insuitable bearings N', said arm being provided with a U- shaped portionP', which is adapted to engage the lever F', said rod M' being providedwith a handle Q', whereby it can be operated from both sides of the car.

Then the cars are uncoupled, the latch Q leans against the coupling-pinT, as seen in Fig. 3X, and it will be apparent that when the arm Z ishit by the proper portion of a juxtaposed coupler said arm will contactwith the lug N and move the same inwardly and the coupling-pin will fallinto the position seen in Fig. l, said pin engaging the recess A', andthus holding the knuckle rigidly in position. To uncouple, thecoupling-pin is raised and the latch Q drops beneath it and rests on thebolt S, whereby said couplingpin is supported, and when the cars partthe lugiN drops down or moves outwardly and pulls the latch back andlets the coupling-pin drop and rest on the lug N, as seen in Fig; 3X,ready for coupling, said latch now resting ported under all conditions.

against the pin T, which latter falls, when the lug'N moves inwardly, asis evident.

The knuckle IV, by reason of its beveled lower portion B' and itscontact with the cont-iguous beveled face C', will automatically alwaysassume the open position seen in Figs. 2 and 3 when the cars areuncoupled, which is afeature of great importance in practice.

In order that there may be no danger of the draw-head dropping to theVground and derailing the cars, I employ the support R', which isU-shaped and has its upper ends attachedV to a suitable portion of thedraw-head, whereupon it will be seen that the draw-head is su p- It willthus be seen that by attaching the support R' to the drawhead beneaththev knuckle of the opposite draw-head in the event that the oppositecoupler pulls out it will drop onto said support and not to the ground.It will be apparent that the support R' can be mounted on the head inany suitable manner, according to requirements, and in addition to itsutility, as above named, said support may also serve forcarrying theair-brake hose, and thus prevent the same from dragging on the ground.In practice I extend the rod M' clear across the car, as seen in Fig. 1,whereby the coupling-pin can be operated from either side of the car. Ialso prefer to provide the lever F with an open eye F2, so that if thecoupler should pull out of the car it spreads open and will not break,and by taking the pin or pivot F3 out it can be replaced. In case it isdesired to couple to a link-and-pin coupler the knuckle can be turned toone side of the head, and'when the link enters said head the pin T willdrop and engage said link. In practice I provide the boltS on itsunderside with a lip S' and an outer handle S2, wherefrom itfwill beseen that when the bolt S is turned about half-way around thecouplingpin T will-drop back in its place without pulling the carsapart. This device isusedonly if the wrong ear should happen to beuncoupled and it was desired for the coupling-pin T to drop back intoits place, as is evident.

It will be apparent that changes may be made by those skilled in the artwhich will IOO come within the scope of my invention, and

I do not therefore desire to be limited in every instance to the exactconstruction I have herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, isl l. In a car-coupler, a draw-head having aknuckle pivoted thereto, the lower face of said knuckle being beveled,and the contiguous surface of said head being also beveled, whereby saidknuckle normally stands in an open position, in combination with amovable lug in the rear of said knuckle, a coupling-pin, and a latchattached to said lug and adapted to support said pin.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination of a draw-head having a recesstherein, a lug hav- IZO ing a pivoted latch and movably mounted in saidrecess, a coupling-pin movable above said lug and latch, and a knucklehaving an arm, said arm being adapted to contact with 5 said lug in theact of coupling.

3. In a car-coupler, a draw-bar provided with a head having a recesstherein, ears in which the knuckle is movably mounted, said knucklehaving alower beveled surface which 1o is adapted to coact with acontiguous beveled surface of said head, a `bolt located in said recess,alug movably mounted inthe latter below said bolt, an abutment for lim.-iting the movement of said lug, alatch piv- 15 oted to said lug andhaving its end overhanging said bolt, a coupling-pin movablein said headand a knuckle having an arm adapted to contact with said lug.

et. In a car-coupler, a draw-head having a zo laterally-swinging knucklepivoted in a recess therein, a lug movably mounted in said recess, alatch pivotally attached to said lug, a bolt having a lip S forsupporting said latch, means for actuating said bolt, and a coupling- 25 pin movable above said lug and latch.

'5. In a car-coupler, a draw-head having a knuckle, a movable lug in therear thereof, a latch pivoted to said lug, a coupling-pin located abovesaid latch, a bolt having a lip S 3o supporting said latch, and meansfor actuat-` ing said bolt from the exterior of said drawhead. j v- 6.In a car-coupler, a draw-head having a laterally-swinging knucklepivoted thereto,

35 the lower face of said knuckle being beveled and the surface of saidhead juxtaposed thereto being also beveled, whereby said knucklenormally stands in an open position, a coup'- ling-pin, a movable lug inthe rear of said knuckle, and a latch attached tol said lug, said latchbeing adapted'to support said pin.

7. The combination of a draw-head, a laterally-swinging knuckle pivotedin arecess therein, a lug movably mounted in said re 45'cess, a latchpivotally attached to said lug,

means for supporting said latch and a coupling-pin movable above saidlug and latch.

8. The combination of a draw-head, a laterallyswinging knuckle pivotedin a recess therein, a lug movably mounted in said re- 5o cessaA latchpivotally vattached to saidlug, means for supportingsaid latch, saidknuckle being adapted to contact with said lug, and the juxtaposedsurfaces of said knuckle and drawhead being beveled, whereby saidknuckle al- 5 5 Ways tends to stand in an open position.

9. In a car-coupling, a draw-head having a recess,ra laterally-Swingin gknuckle mounted therein, and having a beveled under surface, adapted tocoact with the juxtaposed beveled 6o surface of said draw-head, an armon said knuckle, a movable lug mounted in said recess, a latch pivotedto said lug, vand a coup- V ling-pin adapted to be supported upon saidlatch. 6 5

10. Ina car-coupler, adraW-head having a coupling-pin mounted therein, alink lpivoted to said pin a lever having one end pivoted to said pin andits other end supported upon the car by an open eye F2, anoperating-rod, 7o having a U-shaped portion J engaging said lever andextending to the top of the car, and a laterally-extending shaft havinga portion engaging said lever but disconnected therefrom and operativefrom-the side of the car. 7 5

1l. The combination of a draw-head, a laterally-swinging knuckle pivotedin a recess therein, a lug vmovably mounted in said recess, a latchpivotally attached to said lug, means for supporting said latch, acoupling- 8e pin above said lug and latch, and a support R' having itsupper ends attached to a suitable portion of said draw-head,` wherebythe opposite coupler, in case of accident, is pre; vented from droppingto the ground.

SAMUEL W. BUHNER.

Witnesses kPHILIPP WILHELM,

ADOLPH BAUER.

